Artifact Analysis Worksheet

Pick one item/artifact from Lincoln’s pocket on the night of the assassination and tell us:

1. TYPE OF MATERIAL ARTIFACT MADE FROM:

___ Metal                ___ Wood                ___ Stone

___ Leather             ___ Cotton                ___ Paper

___ Plastic               ___ Cardboard          ___ Other Material

2. SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE ARTIFACT

Describe how the artifact looks and feels: describe the shape, color, texture, size, weight, and movable parts, anything printed, stamped or written on it.

3. USES OF THE ARTIFACT:

A. What might it have been used for?_____________________________________________________

B. Who else might have used it?_________________________________________________________

C. Where might it have been used?_______________________________________________________

D. When might it have been used?________________________________________________________

4. WHAT DOES THE ARTIFACT TELL US?

A. What does the artifact tell us about the life and times of Abraham Lincoln?_______________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

B. What does the artifact tell us about Abraham Lincoln? (his likes and dislikes)
_________________________________________________________________________________

C. Can we name a similar item today?_____________________________________________________

Designed and developed by the Education Staff, National Archives and Records Administration,
adapted by Margo Tomaras, July 20, 2009.